Bagunas joins powerhouse Osaka

Decorated winger Bryan Bangunas will be playing alongside Japan national team star Yuji Nishida after signing with the Osaka Bluteon for the 2025-2026 Japan SV.League.

The Alas Pilipinas skipper’s return to the Japan top-tier league was announced Wednesday through the club’s social media account.

Bagunas’ signing marked his return to Japan since his last stint back in 2022 with the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler.

“I am truly honored to be part of the Osaka Bluteon. I’ve always admired the club’s strong culture and vision, and I’ll do my best to support the team in every way to achieve our goals,” the 27-year-old outside spiker said in a statement released by the club.

The two-time Taiwan Top Volleyball League Most Valuable Player will bring in extra firepower for the Bluteon, looking to improve from a third-place finish last year.

“Maligayang pagdating sa aming koponan,” the club said in its welcome statement.

“We are pleased to announce that Bryan Bagunas has officially joined the team as a new player for the team’s quest to win the SV.League 2025-26 season.”

Aside from Nishida, Bagunas will also be teaming up with other Ryujin Nippon mainstays Akihiro Yamauichi, Tomohiro Yamamoto, Shoma Tomita and Larry Evdabe-Dan.

Bagunas’ explosive attacks are expected to be unleashed playing alongside two-time Olympic champion and Paris Olympics Best Setter Frenchman Antoine Brizard.

The 6-foot-5 Filipino spiker saw action for Weisse Adler from 2019 to 2022 before showcasing his talent in Taiwan for the Win Streak.

He led Win Streak in winning back-to-back titles but had to sit out the 2024-2025 season after suffering a knee injury while playing for Alas in the Southeast Asian V.League August last year.

Bagunas is expected to be fully recovered in time for the Philippines’ campaign and hosting of the 2025 FIVB World Championship in September.